Nigeria Defence College: OYES has curbed crime

Participants of Course 22 at the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, have said the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and other strategic programmes have reduced crime and youth restiveness in the state.

Members of Course 22 made this remark after a study tour of Osun State.

This was contained in their presentation, themed: “Infrastructure as Catalyst for Development in Osun State: Issues and Prospects”, at the Sani Abacha Hall of the NDC in Abuja.

Speaking for the participants, Navy Captain B. E. Dauda said the OYES initiative should be adopted by other states to curb unemployment.

He said: “I want to use the opportunity of this presentation of the Course 22 participants of the National Defence College, Abuja, following a geo-strategic tour recently carried out by us, to commend Aregbesola’s three-year-old administration.

“This is to applaud Osun for using OYES to arrest idleness and restiveness among youths by profitably engaging them, despite the fluctuations in federal allocations.

“Our geo-strategic tour of the state showed prudent management of resources accruing to the 22-year-old state by the Aregbesola administration.”

Navy Captain Dauda said the fluctuating federal allocations to states poses significant threats to infrastructural regeneration in states.

Group Captain Iroubuisi said the Course 22 members found out that OYES led to a decrease in Osun’s crime rate.

He hailed Aregbesola on internal revenue generation and for encouraging farmers.

Group Captain Iroubuisi said: “We of the Course 22 of the NDC hail Osun on the robust security infrastructure provided in the state. Our findings showed a decrease in crime rate in the state as a result of the engagement of youth through OYES.”

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Sunday Akere said the National Bureau of Statistics identified Osun as No. 1 in public school enrolment.

He said the feat was achieved through the feeding of primary school pupils.

Akere said: “It is on record that 21 states were ravaged by flood last year, but Osun has not recorded any since the inception of this administration because of the regular channellisation and dredging of waterways.

“Aside OYES, various companies, including the Omoluabi Garment Factory and RLG, an Information Technology company, have been established in the state to provide jobs.”